All posts by Robin Merritt

A concert review of the Mailboxes dynamic performance on Feb. 27th 2016. “An intensely soulful delivery and superb musicianship along with national recognition set this band of newcomers apart from the flock of emerging local artists.”

A few weeks ago I noticed a band called The Mailboxes were playing live at The Camphouse in Chattanooga, TN. Out of curiosity I looked up their album “Red Flags” and their EP “Postscript” on Bandcamp.com and just went “wow! this is definitely worth checking out” and got to see them perform live the same day I learned of their overall existence.

Since then I’ve been a fan of this band led by vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter Jillian Spears Ivey, but I became a SUPERFAN after seeing them again on Feb 27th, 2016 in the secret backroom of a coffeehouse in their hometown of Cleveland, TN where maybe 60 college age (or younger) fans had gathered.
Although relatively new to the performing circuit You can’t really say they are new at their craft when it’s obvious that these three musicians have been at it most of their lives. I don’t even have to ask how long. These are serious instrumentalists and their ultra tight set sounded like a 6 piece orchestra complete with every kind of keyboard, piano, synth, vocal harmony and percussion, with sounds coming from hard to describe spaces… (Where was the bass player? I swear I heard a bass player but there was no bass player.)

By listening to their album You can discern there is an above the norm level of talent, especially from the lead vocalist/pianist & songwriter Jillian Spears Ivey but this night their passion was turned up high and the soulful vocal delivery and stage presence delivered by Jillian Ivey with Caley Johns on backing vocals, glockenspiel, harmonium and various other percussion plus an excellently balanced and obviously well taught Ben Johns on the drum kit formed the perfect unit with a sonic balance verging on the best studio mixes for a truly riveting stage show in that small back room filled with friends and family. Although excellent the one time I’d seen them before, this show notched their whole package of onstage performing and songwriting up to a level that a lot of signed artists struggle to attain and many never do.

So from all appearances this is a tight, passionate and family oriented unt… maybe that’s what’s been missing from so many who try and don’t quite make it through the hoops these three seem to so effortlessly achieve, and then they go the extra mile knocking their performance out of the park with sincere passion.
The show in Cleveland TN did exceed the performance I saw earlier so I hope this is an upward trajectory in their development. It seems like they have discovered the joy in knowing just how gifted they are as musicians and songwriters and just let it fly, leaving any inhibitions behind in the practice zone. If they can maintain the attitude that propelled them to this level of performance they are ready for just about any stage or venue that is astute enough to snap them up.

I can’t wait to see what they come up with next, both recording and performance-wise. For all the hype foisted upon “local” musicians in this region this is the shining gem that happens to reside just a little off the beaten path but eventually they will come out of the woods. They have already been noticed by Daytrotter.com and received the magnanimous ArtistSignal.com international artist of the month award. Look for The Mailboxes on tour spring & summer of 2016. ~R.

Local Chattanooga musician & songwriter & Birmingham natived. Mangione is one musician that a lot more people need to be aware of. Imagine slow rocking, intensely building, stormy, almost country blues soul ballads that will make You wonder why d. has not been a more prominently featured performer on our local scene. Maybe it’s her humble nature, but if all the powerful music bursting from the seams is any sign, a lot more people will be noticing her soon with her upcoming move to Seattle. On Friday Feb. 27th “d.” as her friends Continue reading d.Mangione & friends Friday Feb. 27th 7:30pm @ Barking Legs Theater→

“….AND STAR POWER” album review and notes on where it all may be going for FOXYGEN by Robin Merritt

Every time I re-listen to this album I get a renewed affection for it. A lot of critics just don’t get it but I’m wondering what kind of sad, boring sh*t they think is good? I keep thinking back to Exile on Main Street and how that record endured the same kind of exasperation from music writers in it’s early release days but there’s no stylistic similarities here, no blues, no voodoo. Just a restless desire to go onstage and release all this pent up energy….